921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

lgev. Samuel I47_iti,zg. i33
Neither the church of New Haven nor the
elders of the church of Boston can be wholly
justified. There does not seem to have been
that fairness and simplicity in their proceed-
ings which the gospel requires. The first
church refused the invitation of the new socie-
ty to join with other churches in ordaining
their officers, &c. The ministers and members
of churches in the colony were engaged, some
on one side, and some on the other, and the
contentions were sharp; at length the House
of Deputies espoused the cause of the first
church, and having at their session in May,
I67o, appointed a committee to inquire into
the prevailing evils which had procured or
been the cause of the displeasure of God
against the land, they reported, among other
causes, these that follow, viz., ' Declension from
the primitive foundation work; innovation in
doctrine and worship, opinion and practice;
an invasion of the rights, liberties and privi-
leges of churches ; an usurpation of a lordly and
prelatical power over God's heritage ; a subver-
sion of gospel order; and all this with a dan.